Bending Over Backward: The Why and How of Practicing and Teaching Backbends EB

Course Info

The practice of yoga is fundamentally an act of kindness toward oneself. This idea is often forgotten, but not by Judith, whose approach is warm, non-judgmental and responsive to individual differences and needs.
Judith Lasater has taught yoga since 1971. She holds a doctorate in East-West...

While backbending is a part of asana practice, it is still an unfamiliar movement for the vast majority of our students. It is also a necessary one for a flexible and strong back.

In this two-part course Judith Hanson Lasater will start with a review of the structure of the vertebral column and the primary muscles that create and sustain backbends.

We will then move to a discussion of the more subtle aspects of what backbends do for us: the emotional and psychological aspects of practicing backbends.

We will also discuss the practical aspects of practicing and teaching: how to sequence backbends for beginners and for more advanced students, the common mistakes and pitfalls to be avoided for a successful backbend practice, how to avoid over-stimulating the adrenals in backbends, how to make sure your sacroiliac remains happy during the practice, and why backbends are so beneficial for a pranayama practice.

Be Sure to Catch Judith's Early Bird Bonuses!

Register on or before Monday, November 2, and also receive Judith's great Early Bird bonuses:

Wings of the Heart: The Shoulder Girdle in Yoga Asanas.

Keeping the shoulders open and unrestricted are an important part of healthy backbends. In this talk, Judith Hanson Lasater discusses the dynamics of the shoulder girdle and some of the principles for keeping it healthy and balanced.

Judith Hanson Lasater: Deepening Your Home Yoga Practice

Developing a sustainable home practice is key to enjoying the benefits of yoga. Judith shares insights into how to stay inspired and go deeper in your home yoga practice.

This Premium Course Also Includes These Bonuses!

Opening the Heart - Gentle Backbend Practice for All Levels. In this soothing, 30-minute practice, YogaUOnline teacher Claudine Beeson offers a balanced backbend practice focused on creating greater openness in the heart and front of the chest, while keeping your low back safe.

Recordings of Both Sessions: Yours to keep. It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get the recordings of both sessions (MP3 & MP4), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.

Transcripts of Both Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.

Each session is approximately one hour long and will be recorded. No matter where you are in the world — and even if you cannot tune in at the time of the actual broadcast — you can still benefit from taking the webinar at a time that works best to you. Listen to it as many times as you like!